DMPL Podcast

DMPL Podcast: Solving the Villisca Axe Murders with Rachel McCarthy James

REGISTER for Rachel McCarthy James' author event on Saturday, June 12, at 2:00 PM. The event will also be available online beginning Monday, June 14, and will be available through Sunday, July 11. In the early 20th century, a series of families were murdered over the course of nearly two decade...

DMPL Podcast: 7 Questions with Elin Hilderbrand

Host Aaron Gernes chats with AViD author Elin Hilderbrand in preparation for her virtual visit on Wednesday, June 9. Among other things, she talks about what it is about summer that she loves so much, the two moments that changed her career, and what hidden gem she thinks everyone should read. RE...

DMPL Podcast: Picture Books for Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Erica, a librarian at the Franklin Avenue Library, joins us on the podcast today to discuss a selection of picture books that can help kids learn about mental health and feelings such as grief, anger, and anxiety. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | G...

DMPL Podcast: Iowa Author Joseph LeValley

On today's episode of the DMPL Podcast, Iowa author Joseph LeValley joins host Aaron Gernes. LeValley is the author of the Tony Harrington thriller series, about a small-town Iowa newspaper reporter who uncovers conspiracies and solves mysteries using his reporting skills and sources. LeValley's ...

DMPL Podcast: Kanopy Read Alikes with Marlú

Marlú joins us to discuss some great books and Kanopy movies! Kanopy is the library's free video streaming service. To use Kanopy*, go to dmpl.kanopy.com and create an account using your library card number and PIN. *You must live in Des Moines, Windsor Heights, or rural Polk County to use Kanopy...

DMPL Podcast: 7 Questions with Tayari Jones

AViD author Tayari Jones takes part in the DMPL Podcast ahead of her virtual visit this coming Saturday. She talks about her favorite story growing up, the scene she considered toughest in her award-winning novel An American Marriage, and when she thinks she writes best. Tayari Jones w...

Book Picks Podcast: March Madness

On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Jenny from the Book Chat team joins us to talk about books with crazy plots and premises. As Jenny describes them, these books feature "a thriller sympathetic towards the murderer, a heist that focuses on student debt, and a remake of an old favorite childr...

DMPL Podcast: Greer Macallister

Author and Iowa native Greer Macallister is the guest on the latest episode of The DMPL Podcast. Her newest novel, The Arctic Fury, follows an all-female expedition to the north as they try to uncover what happened to the lost Franklin expedition. Greer discusses why she wanted to set a book in t...

DMPL Podcast: 7 Questions with Robert Kolker

AViD author Robert Kolker joins us on the DMPL Podcast! We talk about how he came to know the Galvin family, the subject of his newest, critically acclaimed book Hidden Valley Road. Kolker also discusses the challenges of structuring of narrative nonfiction books and reveals which classic novel...

DMPL Podcast: Darcy Maulsby

Iowa author Darcy Maulsby is the guest on the latest DMPL Podcast! Her newest book, Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes, is a culinary history of Des Moines restaurants During the podcast, Maulsby and host Aaron Gernes discuss restaurants of days' past, including Babe's, Johnny ...

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Upcoming Events

Park Pack Take and Make

All Day 6/21 - 6/26

Forest Avenue Children’s Area

Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library

Room: Forest Avenue Children’s Area

Age Group: Children

Program Type: Arts & Crafts

Event Details:

Come get your take and make at Forest Avenue Library. Inside each bag are activities to do in your yard or any outdoor space with bubbles and nature-art. As supplies last! ...

Scavenger Hunt and Craft for the Pappajohn Sculpture Park

All Day 6/21 - 6/27

Library Branch: Central Library

Age Group: Children

Program Type: Arts & Crafts

Event Details:

The Central Library and the After School Arts Program (ASAP) will be offering an activity that includes a scavenger hunt and an art project to celebrate the Des Moines Art Festival. These bags will be available at the pickup window or ins...

Sunshine Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am

East Side Library Lawn

Library Branch: East Side Library

Room: East Side Library Lawn

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children

Program Type: Storytimes

Event Details:

Kids and families! Join Miss Maddie outside at East Side Library on the lawn for Sunshine Storytime at 10:00 a.m.! Bring a blanket, chair or tarp and listen to silly stories and move to fun songs outside on the Library Lawn under the t...

Baby Storytime in the Park

10:30am - 11:00am

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Birth-Preschool

Program Type: Storytimes

Event Details:

Join Miss Jennifer at Beaverdale Park at 10:30 AM for this special outdoor Baby Storytime. Bring your own blanket or chair for rhymes, bounces, puppets, and more out on the grass! Baby Storytime is recommended for children ages 0-2 years...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Inclement Weather

This program is hosted outdoors. In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Firefighter and Fire Truck Show and Tell

12:00pm - 1:00pm

South Side Library Lawn

Library Branch: South Side Library

Room: South Side Library Lawn

Age Group: All Ages

Program Type: Educational

Event Details:

Join our neighborhood firefighters at the South Side Library's parking lot as they show us what it takes to do their job. Get a chance to see the equipment they use AND take a look around their fire truck from 12:00-1:00 p.m. The Fire ...

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Conversations & Coffee

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Forest Avenue Library Lawn

Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library

Room: Forest Avenue Library Lawn

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Educational

Event Details:

Do you want to practice your English skills? Looking to meet new people in your community? Join community members and English language learners at Forest Avenue Library for chats and snacks! Activities are provided to prompt and encourage conversatio...

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Art Camp Workshop

1:30pm - 3:00pm

East Side Library Lawn

Registration

Library Branch: East Side Library

Room: East Side Library Lawn

Age Group: Teens

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 3

Event Details:

Calling all young artists and creative teens! Join us for a week long workshop for teens outside at the East Side Library. Each day we will hear from a local artist or creator, get inspired by their work, and then use our supp...

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

A Story of Fort Des Moines: Charles Hamilton Houston

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Zoom Meeting Room

Registration

Library Branch: DMPL Virtual

Room: Zoom Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Educational, Heritage/History Month

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 77

Event Details:

In May 1917, the United States opens the very first Officers Training Camp for Black men in military history. The location – Fort Des Moines. Over the next six months, 1,200 Black men are trained to lead segregated commands in World War I, all the wh...

DMPL Virtual Book Club- The Unkindness of Ghosts

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Zoom Program Room

Registration

Library Branch: DMPL Virtual

Room: Zoom Program Room

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Book Clubs

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 10

Event Details:

Join us on Zoom for the DMPL Virtual Book Club. This month, we will be discussing The Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon. This program has limited space and requires registration. After registration, you will receive a confirmation ...

City of Des Moines - Benchmarking DSM Training

9:00am - 11:00am

Central Library Tech Hub

Library Branch: Central Library

Room: Central Library Tech Hub

Age Group: Adults

Program Type: Educational

Event Details:

On June 3, 2019, the Des Moines City Council passed the Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requiring building owners of buildings 25,000 sq. ft or larger to benchmark energy and water use and submit to the City annually by July 1st. Join City...

Sunshine Storytime

10:00am - 10:30am

Forest Avenue Library Lawn

Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library

Room: Forest Avenue Library Lawn

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children

Program Type: Storytimes

Event Details:

Kids and families! Join Miss Becky outside at Forest Avenue Library on the lawn for Sunshine Storytime at 10:00 a.m.! Bring a blanket, chair or tarp and listen to silly stories and move to fun songs outside on the Library Lawn und...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Storytime on the Go!

10:30am - 11:00am

Library Branch: Off Site

Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children

Program Type: Storytimes

Event Details:

Join Miss Donna at Beaverdale Park at 10:30 AM for this special outdoor Toddler and Preschool Storytime. We will listen to books, sing songs and move our bodies to music. Story Time on the Go is recommended for children ages 2-5 years ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Art Camp Workshop

1:30pm - 3:00pm

East Side Library Lawn

Registration

Library Branch: East Side Library

Room: East Side Library Lawn

Age Group: Teens

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 3

Event Details:

Disclaimer(s)

Outdoor Program

This program is hosted outdoors. Attendees must obey all signage and follow current mask mandates and social distancing guidelines from the city of Des Moines.

In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates.

Learn to Slay: Intro to Dungeons & Dragons

3:00pm - 4:30pm

Zoom Program Room

Registration

Library Branch: DMPL Virtual

Room: Zoom Program Room

Age Group: Children, Teens

Program Type: Educational, Gaming

Registration Required

Seats Remaining: 35

Event Details:

Have you ever wanted to slay a dragon, raid a dungeon treasure room, or even save a village from an evil bandit horde? Always wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons, but didn’t know where to start? Join us as we learn the basics of how to get started ...